Meet Christian Sam, the relentless gem of the 2018 LB class

The 2018 NFL draft has plenty of big names at the top of the linebacker list, but that doesn’t mean the middle rounds won’t be full of hidden gems who could make a big impact at the next level.

Arizona State’s Christian Sam hopes to fall into that category, after bouncing back from a season-ending injury in 2016 to put up huge numbers last season.

Sam recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his journey back from the injury, his combine experience, and why he was down with the Philadelphia Eagles long before they took home the Lombardi Trophy.

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JM: You suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2016. You elected to take a medical redshirt year. What went through your mind when the injury occurred? What was the road to recovery like?

CS: It was a long road. It’s not something you’re ever prepared for. It was a strenuous rehab process. When it initially happened, I was shocked. I worked so hard throughout the offseason program, and then had my entire season taken away from me during the first game. I had to prepare myself for that mentally. And physically, I had to do everything to get healthy again. My goal was to come back during the season, unfortunately that didn’t happen, but I was fully cleared and ready to go heading into that spring. It was a tough challenge, but it made me a better person and a better player.

JM: You didn’t simply return, you dominated in 2017. You put up 127 tackles, 9.5 of which went for a loss. Did you do anything to prepare differently?

CS: Before this past season, I went on a pretty strict meal plan. I started investing my money into the things that could help me in the future. I got on a meal plan. I was eating much healthier, and I was doing more yoga than I had ever done. I was just really taking care of my body. I wanted to better prepare myself for a vigorous college football season. I wanted to be able to perform each week at a high level. I feel like it paid off for me.

JM: Are you still doing those things?

CS: Yes sir, most definitely. I’m gonna keep adding onto it, also. Every year or offseason, my aim is to build on that. Hopefully, I’ll continue to learn about the things that are best for my body and put those things into practice. I’m willing to do the things that allow me to play and feel at the highest level I can be at.

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JM: How would you summarize your experience at the combine?

CS: It was a great experience. It’s always been a dream of mine to go to the combine. I didn’t perform as well as I thought I should have, but it was still a great experience. I’m still glad I was one of the few top players in the country that was able to go.

JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?

CS: Thankfully, I have a pretty clean background, so they weren’t able to ask me anything too crazy (laughs). I wasn’t part of that group. I don’t have any crazy stories for you.

JM: Have you had a lot of private visits or workouts?

CS: I’ve had a few visits. I visited the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals. I’ve worked out for the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, as well. I met with the Rams, as well. It’s been great so far. I don’t have anything else scheduled. I’ve really enjoyed the experience.

JM: What are three traits a successful linebacker must posses?

CS: I feel like the game has changed over the past few years. Linebackers better be able to run sideline-to-sideline nowadays. You better be active in coverage, as well. You have to be smart. Nowadays with how offenses are set up, linebackers are almost like a bigger defensive back. You have to be able to run and cover. If you can do those things, you’re giving your defense an advantage. It doesn’t allow the offense to find too many mismatches. I feel like those are the three most important traits — run, cover and play smart.

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JM: Do you feel like there’s a scheme that you best fit at the next level?

CS: To be honest, no. I’ve played in a number of different schemes. I feel like I can be plugged in anywhere. I can play anywhere my defense needs me to play. I feel like I have a very versatile skill set. I can run and I can play in coverage. I’m smart. I possess all the traits to be plugged in any scheme. It’s all about when my opportunity comes.

JM: Going back to your recruitment, you visited schools such as Baylor and Oklahoma. I’m curious as to why you choose Arizona State?

CS: A lot of people don’t realize that coach [Todd] Graham coached at [my high school] Allen (Texas) back in the day. He kind of started that entire program. Allen is the big powerhouse high school down here. Coach Graham ended up at Arizona State, and they were coming off their best season. They ran the same scheme we played in high school. I went down there for a visit, and I loved it. Everything just made sense. I fully committed, and I think that paid off for me in the long run. I have no regrets about that decision.

JM: How do you enjoy spending your time outside of football?

CS: I’m a laid-back kind of guy. I don’t do too much. I play a lot of Madden, honestly. I usually watch my favorite show, “Law & Order.” I don’t do much. I go out here and there, but usually in my free time, I’m playing video games or watching my favorite show on Netflix. I’m pretty chilled.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

JM: Don’t they have a million versions of “Law & Order?”

CS: Yeah, they do. I’m an SVU guy.

JM: And which team do you like to use on Madden?

CS: I play with the Eagles (laughs). I was playing with them before they won the Super Bowl, though.

JM: So I’m not gonna call you a bandwagon jumper.

CS: No sir (laughs). I was using them when they were a 75 overall on Madden. I was using them when they weren’t too hot.

JM: When a team drafts Christian Sam, what kind of guy are they getting?

CS: They’re getting a high character guy, first and foremost. They’re getting a guy who’s gonna come in and contribute on special teams from Day 1. They’re getting a guy they don’t have to worry about. I’m always gonna take care of business. I’m always gonna give you my all. You’re getting an intelligent, tough player.